Dana Corporation

Dana M Combs

Mark M Shuster

Donald K Cohen

Ralph Larson

Robert R Binoniemi

A surface capacity parameter is determined for a surface of an article having irregularities therein that can be characterized by peaks and valleys relative to a reference point. Initially, an area of interest on the surface of the article and a lateral resolution of that area of interest are determined. An apparatus generates a visual representation of the area of interest on the surface of the article. A deflection contact part factor for the article is calculated, and a bearing ratio curve level is determined based upon the calculated deflection contact part factor and the magnitude of the height or distance between the tallest peak and the lowest valley on the surface of the article. The volume of the material comprising the peaks in the surface of the article and the volume of the space in the surface of the article that is available for the retention of a fluid, such as a lubricant, are determined. Lastly, a surface capacity parameter is calculated as the ratio of the volume of the material comprising the peaks in the surface of the article to the volume of the volume of the space comprising the valleys in the surface of the article.

Method and apparatus for measuring, analyzing, and characterizing irregularities on a surface of an article

A method for measuring irregularities on the outer surface of an article employs an apparatus to obtain qualitative information regarding a first portion of the outer surface of the article, which can be used to generate a visual representation of a first portion of the outer surface of the article. Then, the article is moved by a predetermined amount, and the apparatus is again used to generate a visual representation of a second portion of the surface of the article. This process is repeated to obtain a plurality of visual representations that together span across a predetermined amount of the surface of the article. Then, the plurality of visual representations are processed to generate a single comprehensive enlarged visual representation of a relatively large surface area of the article, which is preferably shaded, colored, or otherwise highlighted to illustrate the irregularities that are formed therein. The single comprehensive enlarged visual representation can be used to analyze the nature of such irregularities.

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Maumee, OH, United States of America

Dana M Combs